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There are many things that you can do to save energy and reduce the cost of your energy bills. Follow our tips below to enjoy energy savings during the hot summer months.

Take care of your air conditioner
Dirty AC coils reduce the cooling effect and causes the unit to run longer than necessary. Make sure to change air filters because clean filters decrease AC unit runtime.Install solar screens or film on windows hit by direct sunlight
Direct sunlight makes your air conditioner run longer. Solar screens on windows can block out 60 to 70 percent of sunlight and heat.Manage your temperature settings
Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher this summer. Each degree lower than 78 increases energy use by 6 to 8 percent. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Use ceiling fansCeiling fans can reduce thermostat settings by 4 degrees and use much less energy than air conditioning. Just remember, like any appliance, they’re only useful to people when they’re actually around. So be sure to turn them off when leaving the house.

Use of appliancesCooking food in an oven can increase the heat not just in your kitchen, but in your whole house. Using a microwave and stovetop to cook food can cut the heat in your home dramatically over using the oven. Run your dishwasher and dryer at night as opposed to during the day. You can also help keep your home cool by placing warm appliances (lamps, televisions, and cooking appliances) away from the internal thermostat.

Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Cut down on your energy use by not heating the water hotter than necessary.

Seal up leaks
Just like your heat can escape in the winter your cool air can escape in the summer. Weather-strip, seal, and caulk around any leaky doors or windows.